18 Apr

Government to reverse decision on “conservatory tax”

What does this mean for homeowners?

UK homeowners wanting to carry out home improvements or repairs were threatened with the inconvenience and expense of having to adhere to a new ruling which stipulated that they must first carry out energy saving or efficiency measures on their property. These measures included work such as loft or wall insulation and were expected to add as much as ten per cent to the bill. Anyone needing to carry out work but without the means to do so, would have been able to borrow the money and pay it back via their energy bills. The new rules were under consultation and were expected to be implemented by April 2014.

Following a huge backlash in the media and amongst the public, with even David Cameron now suggesting the proposals were ‘bonkers’, it looks like the reforms will be scrapped.

“The conservatory tax was a complete nonsense and we’re pleased that its withdrawal looks imminent.

“If the government really wants to create a greener housing stock, it should look at alternative ideas such as encouraging people to invest in wooden extensions which have more longevity and which can be manufactured in an environmentally friendly way. It is highly likely that the conservatory tax would have impacted the design and build of conservatories in a negative way – pushing people towards cheaply constructed, environmentally impactful uPVC conservatories in order to pay for the additional energy savings measures that were required.

“We design and manufacture environmentally efficient glazed timber extensions and while the policy only kicked in above 30 meters squared, it would have affected a substantial number of our potential clients who tend to opt for much larger garden rooms or orangeries averaging 50 metres squared.”